Once she had put Dylan to bed Isabelle sent one of the servants to tell her parents that she would not be able to attend dinner with Sirs Anthony and Wallace and their families that night because she had fallen ill, but that they were not to worry for it was not serious and all she needed was a night's rest. That done she had some of the old clothes she used to wear when she went out with Daniel washed, and a warm bath drawn.
Within the hour Dylan awoke. He was startled at first, unable to remember where he was, but Isabelle was waiting at his side to reassure him.
"Shh, it is ok. Do you remember me?"
"Y-yes," was his meek reply.
"There is a warm bath and clean clothes for you in the other room. You do know how to bathe and clothe yourself right?" His cheek flushed ever so slightly as he nodded yes. "Alright then, go right through there and I shall wait for you in here." Dylan went to wash up and within half an hour he emerged looking considerably better - both cleaner and healthier.
"Do you feel better?"
"Y-yes, thank you. What's your name again?"
"I'm Isabelle. How old are you Dylan?"
"Ten."
"Do you have any family?"
"A brother." Dylan gasped and clasped his hands over his mouth.
"What is the matter?"
"He told me to wait... I wasn't supposed to..."
"Calm down. Is he outside, somewhere on the castle grounds?"
"Yes."
"Alright, we shall go look for him. I will be back in a moment." Isabelle stepped into the other room and changed into some old trousers and shirt of Daniel's (one of the sets she usually wears when out with Daniel). When she was dressed she tucked her hair under a cap and lead Dylan through one of the hidden passageways out of the castle. Where should we start first? Dyan's brother could be anywhere. What have they been through that Dylan would try to steal from the castle kitchen? Why are they here? We'd better go see Daniel first, he'll be able to help us locate Dylan's brother.
"Follow me, we shall start at the stables. I have a friend there who can help us. Do you know anywhere your brother might have gone?"
"No."
"Is he younger or older than you?"
"Older, he is seventeen."
"Here are the stables, Daniel will... wait, do you hear that?" There were voices coming from the stables. One was distinguishably Daniel's, but Isabelle did not recognize the other.
"It would be a lot easier if we ask someone, officially get you some work."
"No, please, I would prefer if no one knew I was here."
"Alright, you help me around the stables and I shall split the wages with you. If I find any other work I won't hesitate to tell you."
"That is my brother," Dylan almost shouted before he rushed into the stables.
"Dylan, what are you doing here? I told you to wait out-"
"I was hungry Jackson. And then there was this cook and I thought she was going to beat me. And-"
"Slow down kid, what are you talking about?"
"The cook caught him trying to steal some food from the castle kitchen. Needless to say she was quite upset and wanted to call the guards. Do not worry, she did not. I gave Dylan some food, a bed to take a nap in, a warm bath, and some clean clothes."
"Thank you, umm..."
"Isabelle. It was no trouble at all... Jackson, was it?"
"Yes." Jackson put his arm over Dylan's shoulders.
Then emerging from behind Jackson, Daniel asked, "Shouldn't you be attending that dinner we spoke of earlier? Your parents are not going to be happy."
"You worry too much Daniel. I told them I was not well, you will not be punished, you have done nothing wrong."
"Wait," Jackson interrupted, "Isabelle? As in Princess Isabelle?"
"Unfortunately I have no choice but to say yes, for it is not up to us to which parents we are born." Jackson immediately bowed as low as he could taking Dylan down with him.
"Please rise. You need not bow to me unless nobility or those who are very traditional are around."
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